Foals pair make Germany debut – Neuhaus on the scoresheet

Flroian Neuhaus and Jonas Hofmann made their debuts for the Germany national team in a 3-3 friendly draw against Turkey. Neuhaus scored the third goal of the game to give Germany a 2-1 lead.

Germany

“For me personally, it is a really nice feeling to have scored on my debut,” said Florian Neuhaus. “But when you take the lead three times and end the game with only a draw, it’s not good. Of course, we wanted to win the game but we didn’t manage to.” Neuhaus was named in the starting XI for the match on Cologne on Wednesday evening, with Borussia teammates Matthias Ginter and Jonas Hofmann on the bench.

Neuhaus played in front of the defensive line in a 3-4-3 and was involved in his side’s action from the first minute. Shortly before the break, the 23 year old won possession in his own half and began the play that ended with Julian Draxler opening the scoring (45+1’). Early in the second half, Turkey equalised through Ozan Tufan (49’). Neuhaus replied for Germany to put his side ahead once again with a nice finish into the far corner after a one-two with Kai Havertz. “He had a good debut and was involved in a lot of good plays. For his goal, he played the ball and continued pushing forwards, before finishing really well into the corner,” said head coach Joachim Löw after the game.

It was then time for the second Foal to make their debut, as Hofmann was introduced as a 59th-minute substitute. Wednesday’s match marked the first ever time that two Borussia players have made their Germany debuts in the same fixture. Turkey then equalised once more in the 67th minute in somewhat controversial circumstances, with goalscorer Efecan Karaca knocking Neuhaus to the floor in the build up to the goal. Neuhaus’ game came to an end when he was replaced in the 79th minute, shortly before Luca Waldschmidt put Germany ahead for the third time (81’). However, Kenan Karaman drew Turkey level in the fourth minute of added time. “We have to come together, analyse the game, and do better against Ukraine on Saturday,” said Neuhaus. Germany will travel to Kiev for the Nations League fixture on Saturday (20:45 CEST).

Switzerland

The Switzerland national team, who were without Yann Sommer and Nico Elvedi, were defeated 2-1 by Croatia in St. Gallen. Mario Gavranovic (31’) put Switzerland ahead as he headed home a cross from former Borussia man Granit Xhaka, but the guests equalised shortly before the break through Josip Brekalo (42’). Mario Pasalic scored what proved to be the winning goal for Croatia in the 67th minute. Switzerland will take on Spain in Madrid in the Nations League on Saturday (20:45 CEST).

Austria

Stefan Lainer was named on the bench as Austria defeated Greece 2-1 in Klagenfurth. The fullback came on at half time, playing the entire second half. Greece took the lead in the 63rd minute, before Austria turned the game around thanks to goals from Adrian Grbic (77’) and Cristopher Baumgartner (80’). Franco Foda’s side will make an away trip to Northern Ireland for Sunday’s Nations League game (20:45 CEST).